New Ambassador ‘Strombo’ Reports On Hunger In Pakistan

1 April 2011

Canadian talkshow host George Stroumboulopoulous is WFP's newest Ambassador Against Hunger. Copyright:CBC

Canadian journalist and TV personality George Stroumboulopoulos wanted to see WFP’s work in the field before he agreed to be an Ambassador Against Hunger for the organization. So he went to flood-stricken Pakistan to learn all he could. His experiences are the subject of a TV special broadcast on Friday night.

ROME - WFP’s new Canadian Ambassador Against Hunger George Stroumboulopoulos travelled to Pakistan last month to learn about the country which was devastated by monsoon floods last year and to see how is WFP is working to fight hunger and help the nation rebuild.

“Before I signed up as ambassador I felt I needed to get firsthand experience and see the work they’re doing in the field,” said Stroumboulopoulos, whose appointment as WFP’s Canadian ambassador was announced on his own show last month.

During his trip to Pakistan, Stroumboulopoulos saw the destructive effects of last year’s floods. He witnessed how WFP food assistance is helping to feed families while they rebuild their homes and livelihoods. In Sindh province, ‘Strombo’ met mothers whose children received highly nutritious foods through WFP child feeding programmes.

“For most of us we only see the effects of disasters through the prism of media. The effects of the floods, earthquakes and conflicts and it can all be overwhelming. But getting to be on the ground you see firsthand, the people working together to provide nutritious food to those in need and the empowering of those affected to rebuild,” he said.

Stroumboulopoulos has earned a reputation for being one of the most trusted and respected journalists in Canada, with a track record of involvement in hunger and other humanitarian issues. He has worked with a number of charitable initiatives including Make Poverty History and the Canada Africa Partnership on AIDS and was co-host and executive producer of “Canada for Haiti”, a live benefit that raised funds for Haitian earthquake victims.

“Access to food isn’t a privilege, it’s a right. It's not about politics or partisanship. It's about people in need and our responsibility as humans to be there for one another,” George told his audience during a recent TV show. “I am excited to be able to talk about the great work that the World Food Programme is doing around the world to help end hunger.”

Ambassador Against HungerLearn more about George and his role as
Canadian Ambassador Against Hunger for WFP.

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